Dalia Grybauskaitė, president of Lithuania

POLITICO asked political figures from around Europe for their reflections on 2017 and their predictions for the new year. Here, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė gives her take on Europe in the year just passed.

What did you learn in 2017?

Unity is power. Together we are capable of overcoming any challenge — Zapad, Brexit, uncontrollable migration.

Your high point of 2017?

In the context of large-scale aggressive military exercise Zapad, we stood together with our allies. The presence of 23 NATO nations in our region — nine of them in Lithuania — has ensured reliable deterrence and is indispensable for regional and transatlantic security.

Your low point of 2017?

The fact that in the 21st century our eastern neighbor is still rehearsing offensive military scenarios against the West.

Your favorite movie/TV show from the year? Why?

Not much time to watch movies or TV shows in 2017.

Three words you would use to sum up the EU.

Confident, resilient, engaged.

Any new year’s resolutions?

Be more patient.

What are your hopes for 2018? And your expectations?

In politics, as in life, the situation always changes. Hope for more predictability, stability and positivity.